Often, while walking behind my husband when he was seated on our couch, I’d stop and kiss his bald spot and say, “There’s a tiny kissing spot right there just for me.”

We both knew it hadn’t been tiny for quite a while. For some unknown reason it began expanding soon after we got married. I don’t have a scientific explanation, but I’m convinced it has something to do with climate change.

Anyway, when my husband was first diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in January, about the third thing I said was, “Hey! Do you think you’ll lose your hair?” I’m sensitive like that.

I waited patiently. His hair didn’t fall out as fast as we assumed it would. Expecting it to happen after his second round of chemo, he had the nurse give him a buzz cut, but it remained fuzzy, then grew back. Then, two weeks after his third round of chemo —voila!—his head was as soft as pudding. (Well, not his whole head, just his scalp. Actually, I’ve never felt pudding, but you know what I mean.) Now I had a multitude of spots to choose from and I have kissed them all!

Can you say “good sport”? This is David in January then May.

I started to think about that term “kissing spot.” It was my positive way of looking at a negative situation. It reminded me of the joke, “While the optimist argued with the pessimist, the opportunist drank the water.” I wondered what other “kissing spots” I could find in the midst of this experience. I found a great example in my husband.

Every time . . .

a doctor or nurse practitioner reported test results—whether good or bad—he thanked them.

a person spent time with him, they left smiling.

a member of the housekeeping staff swept under his bad and emptied his trash, he told them how much he appreciated it.

a staff member changed her hair or wore something colorful, he complimented them.

a cafeteria worker brought him a meal, no matter how tasteless it looked to me, he acted excited and said, “Oh, yum!”

a group of med students rounded with the doctors, they left chuckling at one of his witty comments.

a nurse hooked him up to his rolling IV dance partner for a bag of platelets, packed red cells, or antibiotics, he thanked them.

David’s on and off dancing partner for the past 4 months.

He’d found their kissing spots. Now I needed to do the same.

In addition to his hospital room, I spent much of my time at the hotel, in shuttle buses, and trying to navigate my way from Dana-Farber to Brigham & Women’s. I saw a variety of people in various situations.

I thanked . . .

the young man walking by the hotel who lifted my heavy suitcases out of my car and put them onto the luggage cart.

the desk clerk who programmed my new cell phone’s GPS so I could find my way back to the hospital.

the two women who gave me a ride when I missed the last morning hospital shuttle.

the van and bus drivers who got me where I needed to go so I didn’t have to fight traffic.

every hospital volunteer or staff member who recognized the dumb look on my face and pointed me in the right direction–more than once.

the gifted hotel housekeeping staff whose kindness and consideration I will never forget.

my son Chris, his wife Diana, my daughter Erin, and her husband Chris for helping me prepare my house for David’s homecoming.

It was my privilege to . . .

David’s sister, Darleen, beautiful inside and out.

spend quality time with David’s sister, Darleen, who donated her matching stem cells to her big brother.

pray with a woman who’d been told her husband was only a few days from Heaven.

get a smile from a little, bald girl when I told her her light–up pink sneakers were so cool.

listen as an immigrant father of two, a hotel guest, bragged about his children’s achievements since their move to the States.

tell a woman how well David was doing the day before she herself was due to have the same type of stem cell transplant.

spend hours with a patient who never whined or complained but exhibited a settled faith, patience, kindness, and peace through it all–my husband.

Clarice,
What a wonderful example of looking at life in a way that is pleasing to God. We are praying for you! Hmmm
bigger kissing spot that’s a great way of looking at bald. And we know bald, it’s not a bad thing! You are a remarkable couple, and we enjoy your prayer requests “with your name on them” It helps to know what you
would like us to pray! Thank you!

Such a lovely way to think of the emotional circumstances of yours and David’s life. Really shows how beautiful your love is for each other. Thank you for letting us into your lives this way. Keeping you both in my prayers.

Enjoy those Kissing Spots. I have just read a lot of what is on your emails. You are a fabulous writer. I realy enjoyed it. I hope that you and David have a wonderful Sunday for I love you both hugely. Darleen and Peter and Sarah and family are planing a short visit with me today—–my 95th!!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

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Catrina wrote to me and told me she met you. We went to church together for years. Love that girl! I plan to go to the NECWR at Gordon College in June. Maybe I’ll see you then? Putting my husband first has been easy because he sure is worth it! Doesn’t mean I don’t miss all my writing friends and activities.

While my words “touch you” another friend wrote, “Awesome post, Clarice. I’m just trying to figure out which photo would make the best cover for your next book, the comic novel about a weird serial kisser.”

Wow!!ððð
Profound, inspiring, brimming with the imagery of Jesus. Very moving!! We really do have more choices in life than I choose to believe. The choice to see Him walking along side at all times.
Thank you both for your transparency in your walk of Faith.
ð Susan

Clarice and David,Â As always your account of your lives brings joy, insight, and laughs!!!! Â Thank you so much for showing the beauty and surprise of Kissing Spots. Â We are so glad that things are working out so well for you. Â It would be good to see you this summer when we go through NH on our way to and from Maine, but I know that visiting wouldn’t be such a good idea. Â Besides, one never knows what awful things South Carolina cooties may carry.Â Today we put Dee Stiles on the plane back to NH. Â She and Bob were down for a visit, but he had to leave earlier. Â A blast as you can imagine. Â Actually, we’ve had LOTS of company this spring with more to come later–including our daughter who will visit in AUG. Â YEAH!!!Â I’m going to Charleston, SC tomorrow to meet up with a friend I worked with in the Red Cross. Â We were also roommates in Houston. Â I am truly looking forward to this.Â Bob is well; I think he’ll probably enjoy the peace and quiet.Â That’s it from Greer.Â With LOVE,Â Ellen

Thank you for sharing your journey. I’ve been reading, not responding, only based on busyness. This one I wanted to save and read in my downtime. The “kissing spots” reminds me to be thankful at all times, to love at all times, that God can do anything at any time to show us his unconditional love, and we in turn must do the same.